dorward



April 25, 1944- J. G. DoRwARD, JR 2,347,472

AIR VOLUME CONTROL FOR FLUID PRESSURE TANKS Filed Nov. 1e, 1940, 4 sheets-shear 5f sa 59 Y willi/ 2 l \f c 62 o w .135M- 6/ i 0/ l M 50 5 A. N'VENT-. `l *I April 25, 1944. J. G. DORWARD, JR

' AIR VOLUME CONTROL FOR FLUID PRESSURE TANKS Filed Nov. 1e, 1940 *1MM y Y INVENTOR. ma(

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 25, 1944- f J. G. lDoRwARD, JR." 2,347,472

AIR VOLUME CONTROL FOR FLUID PRESSURE TANKS Filed Nov. 1e, 1940 4 sheets-sheet 5 26 I INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY April 25x 1944' J. G. DoRwARD, JR Y 2,347,472

AIR VOLUME CONTROL FOR ELID PRESSURE TANKS y f Filed Nov. le, 1940 4 sheets-shew 4 Y ?atented Ar. 5,

AER VGLUME @ONTBOL FDR FLUID PRESSURE TANKS John G. morward, Jr., Alameda, Calif. Application November 16. 1940, Serial No..365,894

(Gla ID3-6) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to means for controlling the liquid level in closed pressure tanks. Such tanks are usually incorporated as a part of uuid pressure systems for maintaining aystored quantity of liquid under pressure.

One object of the present invention is the provision of a simple means for maintaining a substantially constant predetermined liquid level in the fluid pressure tank.

A further object of the invention is the -provision of an air supply means to replenish the air aorbed by the liquid in a duid pressure tank by means of a device incorporating a Venturi aspirator so that air can be injected into the fluid being pumped, by means of a suitable difference in pressure across said Venturi aspirator tube on the discharge side of the pump.

A still further object is the provision of a valve on the discharge side of a liquid pump, the purpose of said valve being to introduce a sufcient pressure diderence for the operation of a Venturi aspirator tube without the necessity of tapping the suction or inlet side of said liquid pump.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of means for causing a time delay in the opening of said valve so that a suitable quantity of air will be injected into the liquid each time the liquid pump starts.

A still further object is the provision of means for controlling the time delay in the opening of said valve for the purpose of injecting air into the liquid flowing into the uid' pressure tank only at such times as the liquid level in the pressure tank is above a predetermined level.

A. still further object is to provide means for normally maintaining the valve closed and for automatically opening the valve when the pump is started.

A still further object is to provide an adjustable stop to limit opening of the valve so as to maintain a predetermined pressure in the discharge side of the pump.

A still further object is to provide a yielding adjustable stop for the valve to prevent excess pressure from building up in the discharge side of the pump ahead of the valve.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent in the specication, in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

In thedrawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing a fluid pressure system embodying the present invention;

- tank tends to rise because of the absorption of I Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing details of .the air aspirator Venturi tube, taken as indicated by arrows 2 2 in Fig. 3; v

Fig. 3 is a sectional stew of a portion of the discharge connection of the pump removed from `and also an adjustable stop member cooperating therewith Fig. 5 is a sectional view through a duid actuated device mounted within the uid pressure tank of Fig. 1, shown iragmentarily in section,v

which .provides means for the release of excess air when the liquid level in the pressure tank falls below a predetermined position; 4

Fig. 6 ls a section corresponding to that of Fig. 5 showing a modified form of uid actuated control device within the duid pressure tank, showing means for allowing air to enter the Venturi aspirator .only when the liquid level in the pressure tank is above a predetered position, the

Venturi section being taken as indicated by line e-t of Fig. d;

Fig. 7 is a view of another modied form oi' discharge connection having means ier automatically relieving excess pressure in the discharge side of the pump and for freeing foreign tter that may be lodged between the discharge valve and its seat;

Fig. 8 is an assembly view, in elevation. showing the oat actuated air valve of Fig. 6 connected to by-pass venturi of Fig. l.

Fluid pressuretanks are often used in fluid pressure systems for the purpose of storing a quantity of liquid under pressure by means of a compressed cushion of air above the liquid in said iuid pressure tank. In such systems, it is found that the liquid citen absorbs a quantity of the compressed air because of the elevated pressure y.conditions existing within the fluid pressure tank. Therefore the liquid level in the air by the liquid which consequently is carried out of the pressure tank. If the amount of air or other gas over the liquid is small, it is found that the capacity for storage of liquid underpressure in the tank is also small, because of the limited expansion in volume oi the small amount of air or gas under the influence of changes in iluid pressure.

In all such cases where air is absorbed by the liquid carried away from the tank, it is desirable to provide a means for replenishing the supply of air or gas above the liquid in the pressure tank in order to maintainl a comparatively large volume of compressed air in the tank and thus provide for a large storage of liquid under pressure.

In most types of liquid pumps which do not employ a positive displacement principle, it is further desirable not to admit air into the suction or intake side of the liquid pump for the purpose of replenishing the amount of air in the fluid pressure tank. In most pumps such as centrifugal pumps and the like, which are ,not of a positive displacement action, it is found that air introduced into the liquid at the inlet side of the liquid pump will tend to separate within the pump, due to centrifugal action, and Vsuch air will foul the liquid pump and cause reduced output or loss of pumping action entirely. For these reasons this invention does not make use of any means for injecting air into the suction or intake side of the liquid pump, nor is any uid pressure connection or communication made with the intake side of the liquid pump. Other devices which make use of a fluid pressure connection to the suction or intake side of the liquid pump are subject to the danger of loss of pumping action due to air leaking into the suction side or because of air which is allowed to enter the intake of the liquid pump due to defective construction or operation of the device which communicates with the liquid pump intake.

The method of injecting air into the liquid by means of an air aspirator Venturi tube is well known and is based on one of the oldest laws in hydraulics. In the past, however, such devices have been connected between the liquid pump discharge and intake, and therefore have introduced a mixture of air and liquid into the liquid pump intake, which is highly undesirable for reasons stated above. In the present invention the air is injected into the liquid solely on the discharge side of the pump.

A suitable construction for this aspirator Venturi tube is shown in section in Fig. 2, but many other designs can be used to accomplish the same result. As shown in Fig. 2, liquid from the pump discharge enters the conical converging portion I, is mixed with air which enters venturi 4 at vVenturi throat 2, due to the high velocity and consequent low pressure of the liquid at this point, and the mixture of air and liquid is gradually slowed up, the velocity being converted into pressure in the conical diverging portion 3, for delivery into the fluid pressure tank. A check valve 62 prevents loss of liquid from port opening I when insuillcient suction exists to draw air into the system.

This invention incorporates the air aspirator of Fig. 2 as an integral part of a valve body 6, as 'shown in Fig. 3. This aspirator Venturi tube thus forms a by-pass passage across the valve 6, making use of the pressure drop introduced by a closed or partially closed valve. The aspirator will cause the injection, of air suihcient to replace that lost by absorption when a portion of the water is by-passed therethrough with sufficient velocity. The term effective pressure" will be used hereafter to mean that difference in head across the valve which is sufcient to cause entry of air through the Venturi aspirator. This valve is intended for manual operation by means of a handwheel 8, shown in Fig. 3.

liquid actuated ejector in combination with a liquid pressure pump, as shown in Fig. 1, require as a necessary part a suitable adjustable valve, such as indicated at l at the discharge outlet to provide sufficient liquid pressure at the pump discharge at all times. This liquid pressure must be maintained above a minimum value to insure operation of the ejector unit 50; therefore the valve is a necessary part of such fluid pressure systems and the use of this invention fulllsthis requirement.

Such an automatic water system 'of the ejector type, consists, in generaL- of a pump 5I, with an appropriate driving motor I2, controlled by a pressure actuated switch M connected through a tube I8 to outlet passage I2 of discharge member or valve body I. The pump has a suction line 55, which may vary in structure with the condition of operation and the type of pump used. 'I'he structure illustrated employs a centrifugal type pump, and the suction line is provided with a Jet pump booster in the form of a venturi 58, through which water is forced under high pressure by nozzle Il. During pumping, the water is diverted through a tube 59 to the nozzle 50 by pressure control valve 8. shown in detail in Fig. 3. The lowered pressure at venturi due to the high velocity of the jet formed by nozzle 50, serves to draw water through a foot valve Bil and into the venturi 56. The velocity energy of the mixedstream in the throat of venturi 58 is converted into pressure by an expanding diiuser 8l, and this pressure forces the water to within suction distance of the centrif- "ugal pump 6I. The foot valve 'SII permits passage of liquid in one direction only and thus serves to prevent back now of water out of the system when pump 5I is stopped.

The switch mechanism 5I and its connection 68 to discharge line I2 are conventional and no claim will be directed thereto. The foot valve 60 is purely conventional and forms no part of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment to that shown in Fig. 3 of structure within valve Jected at I0 before the valve sleeve 6 opens sufficiently to reduce the pressure drop between passages II and I2. Operation of thie valve is as follows: Valve sleeve is normally held closed by a spring 22. Passage II communicates with the liquid pump discharge and when the pump starts a liquid pressure is developed between passages II and I2. This pressure causes a high velocity flow through the venturi 4, and exerts a force on the valve sleeve 6 and stem I3. This 00 force is resisted by a quantity of liquid trapped in a variable size chamber I4, which is formed by displacement diaphragm I5 and a housing Il secured to valve body. The trapped liquid must flow through a tube 23 and a restricted oriiice Ii and into tank I1 before movement of the valve stem is possible. This restricted flow of liquid causes slow opening of the valve sleeve 6', a considerable movement of which is necessary before the opening of the valve ports I8. Ultimate opening of the valve is determined by an adjustable stop I9. which is sealed against fluid leakage from the chamber Il by a gasket 20. When operation of the liquid pump stops, pressure is equalized between the passages i l and i2 through Fluid pressure systems which incorporate a 1| the venturi 4 and the valve and stem are reythe orice i8. Although a flexible diaphragm displacement member is shown at i5. any other suitable displacement member such as a piston' or bellows could be incorporated without changing the scope of the invention.

It should be noted that the orice i6 is placed in the side wall of the fluid pressure tank i1, which orifice communicates with the chamber I4 by means of tube connection 23. As long as the liquid level in the tank is above the orllce i6, liquid is forced through the oriiice and slow openlng of the valve is provided thereby, thus al` lowing air intake at' i0, when the pump starts. When the liquid level in the tank drops below the orice it, the air or gas from the tank is taken through the orince le, and the tube 23, into the chamber it by action of the spring 22, and the displacement member i5. When the liquid pumpl starts, the orifice te offers little resistance to iiow of air or gas into the tank, resulting in fast operation oi the valve stem is and consequently little or no intahe oi air at id. This operation serves to maintain the tank liquid level at the orioe E63, when the liquid pump is stopped at o. denite pressure.

Automatic regulation of a minimum pressure at the pump discharge is highly desirable in huid pressure systems incorporating an ejector. First of all, the ejector shown atb@ in Fig. i will not operate to advantage below a minimum' pressure, for instance', a pressure which in practice has been established as around twenty pounds.

, Hence, raeans such as the adjustable stop it is provided for maintaining the discharge valve in a position where the minimum pressure ismaintained during pump operation.

it is possible that ow will be restricted, causing too great a pressure to be built up in the discharge side of the pump or the passage it by foreign matter lodging between the discharge valve sleeved' and its seat be when the valve is partially open; ii that should happen, it would be desirable to provide automatically actuated means which would permit further opening of the valve so as to tree or dislodge the foreign matter and at the same time relieve the excess pressure, and then automatically to return the valve'to maintain the pressure diierential desired.

In the structure shown in Fig. '7, the valve control s of Fig. 3 is replaced by a unit having three housing sections 2t, 2d and di, and two nexible diaphragms i5' and 29. These diaphragms form the several chambers indicated at su, id', S2 and the tank il through the pipe 23 and the orifice member lo; the chamber 3S with the atmosphere through the vent opening 3d; the chamber 32 with the' passage ii through the hollow valve stem it' as shown; and the chamber it with the passage i2 through the opening 35. In actual operation, let it be assumed that the amount of air in the tank has been reduced to such an extent that the water level stands above the discharge orice iii. 1f such is the-case, the chamber id' will be lled with water, and if `the pump is started, the discharge valve will be' opened by delay action. That is, the moment the pump starts, a comparatively high pressure will be built up in the passage ii and water will then disdit The chamber it' communicates with charge through the Venturi member thus causins an inow of air which will enter the tank with the water. The pressure, whatever it may be, in the passage Il will simultaneously act on the valve and this, together with the stem, will move in a right-hand direction, causing the valve slowly to open, the water in the chamber Il' being at the same time discharged through the orioe i6 into the tank. It is the size of the oriiice together with the effective area of the diaphragm I5' and the length of the stroke of valve stem i3', that determines the time period of the delay action. The inner end of the valve stem passes through a stutllng box or packing such as shown at 36, and leakage'from chamber i6' to 32 is thus substantially avoided. 4 The head member formed on the inner end of the valve stem will engage the diaphragm 29 and, as this is counteracted by a cap 8i and an adiustable spring 38, said cap and spring will function as a stop member and iinally limit the opening movement of the discharge valve, the position that the valve iinally assumes when stopped being that at which.k a minimum pressure will be maintained in the discharge passage ti during operation of the pump.

Now, if foreign matter or the like should happen to lodge between the valve and its seat, the pressure at li would obviously increase and might become excessive, thus interfering with the discharge oi water or liquid, and atthe same time, materially reduce the emciencv oi the pump. Ii that should happen, the pressure exerted against the valve will be slightly increased and the pressure in the chamber di would be materially increased; thus the pressure against the cap would be increased and the spring ad would yield, thus permitting further opening :of the valve. This would relieve the excess pressure at it, and under any condition would permit freeingy or dislodging of foreign matter and the moment the pressure is reduced and the foreign matter dislodged the pressure obviously drops, thus permitting the spring tti to return the valve to the normal or desired open position where a minimum pressure will be maintained.

in the simplest form of the invention, shown in Fig. 3, the operation is manual entirely. That is, the valve is adjusted by the hand wheel e until it assumes a` position where a minimum pressure will be maintained in the discharge passage it.

In the structure shown in Fig. d, the valve is automatically opened when the pump is started, and its open position is controlled by the adjustable stop screw it. Also in this structure delay action is obtained through the action of the diaphragm ib, the pipe d3, and the discharge oriiice id, and the valve is normally closed when the pump is stopped by the spring 2 2.

All of the latter features are also obtained in the structure shown in Fig. 7, and in addition thereto the diaphragm 2e and the cooperating cap and spring it are provided, to function as an automatic adjustable stop; that is, a stop that will yield in the event that excess pressures are built up on the discharge side or passage it or the pump. and which will also function to return the valve to normal open position when the foreign matter has been freed or dislodged.

'in some instances, it is possible that an excess quantity of air might be introduced into the tank il, and under such circumstances it would be desirable either to control the amount of air admitted or to release excess air.

. An excess air release valve unit lo designed for such use is shown inFig. 5. The unit le includes a housing member it, secured threadably or by equivalent means to the wall of tank i1 at about the normal liquid level. A ball valve 12 is mounted within housing member 1l and communicates with the outside air through a port 14. Valve 12- is held closed normally by pressure thereonor a lever 1l pivoted at 1I in the valve unit and carrying at its opposite end a float 42. When the liquid level is too low, float 42 drops, releasing bail valve 12, which then opens and permitsl release of excess tank air through port 14. An alternative air control device is shown in Fig. 6 which is eiective when too little air is present in the tank l1. Fig. 6 shows control of air intake into the venturi 4 by means of a iloat actuated air inlet valve in the tank which communicates with the air inlet check valve 40 by means of a tube connection 4l.

Valve 40 is mounted in a housing 80 threadably inserted in wall I1 of the tank at about average liquid level, but is sealed from the tank by a flexible diaphragm 45. Diaphragm 45 acts as a pivotal support for a lever 14 attached at its inner end to a float 42, and engaging a check valve 40 at its outer end. Air may enter freely into the chamber space 44 in housing 80 defined by diaphragm 4l through an inlet port 8l, but its egress is blocked by valve 40 unless there is too little air or too much liquid in tank i1. When iloat Il is thus raised above its normal position, lever 14 depresses and opens valve 40, permitting a free supply of air through housing IB and tube 4I to the venturi 4, which then functions as above to mix the air with the water and replace the deciency. Ball valve 12 is constrained to open by a spring I2 when released by dropping of noat 42.

Fig. 8 is an assembly view, showing both the by-passing of the discharge line and the air inlet control for the air injector. In this figure the water level in the tank i1 is indicated at |1'. The structure, illustrated in Fig. 6 and generally indicated at 80 in Fig. 8, is attached to the tank,

with the tubing 4l connected to the valve body 5 at 85e.

The operation is as last Yabove described. While thisand other features of my invention have been more or less specifically described for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood v that various changes may be resorted to, all within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

-1. In a fluid pressure system embodying a fluid storage tank and a discharge line, a pump for supplying a liquid under pressure to the tank, said pump having an inlet and a discharge connection, a by-pass on the discharge side of the pump and in communication with the tank, a valve normally closing the discharge outlet of the pump, means for setting up a differential pressure sufficient to create a temporary flow through the by-pass of sufiicient velocity to aspirate air, whenever said pump is started, an aspirator mounted in the by-pass and actuated by liquid iiow therethrough for introducing a gas into the tank, and means actuated by the level of the liquid in the tank for effecting the delay-action in the opening of the valve.

2. In a fluid pressure system embodying a iluid storage tank and a discharge line, a pump for supplying a liquid under pressure to the tank,

the pump, delay action means actuated by liquid pressure produced when the pump is started for opening the valve, said valve and delay action means causing temporary flow of liquid under effective pressure through the by-pass, means actuated by the liquid ilow through the by-pass for introducing a gas into the tank, and means actuated by the level of the liquid in the tank for eilecting the delay-action in the opening of the v ve.

3. In a fluid pressure system embodying a iluid storage tank and a discharge line, a pump for supplying a liquid under pressure to the tank, said pump having an inlet and a discharge connection, a by-pass on the discharge side of the pump and in communication with the tank, a valve normally closing the discharge outlet of the pump, delay action means actuated by liquid pressure produced when the pump is started for opening the valve, said valve and delay action means causing temporary ilow of liquid under effective pressure through the by-pass, means actuated by the liquid ow through the by-pass for introducing a gas into the tank, an adjustable stop member controlling the open position of the valve, and means actuated by the pressure in the tank to relieve excess pressure in the pump discharge.

4. In a fluid pressure system embodying a fluid storage tank and ya discharge line, a pump for supplying a liquid under pressure to the tank, said pump having an inlet and a discharge connection, a by-pass on the discharge side of the pump and in communication with the tank, a valve normally closing the discharge outlet of the pump, delay action means actuated by liquid pressure produced when the pump is started for opening the valve,` said valve and delay action means causing temporary flow of liquid under eective pressure through the by-pass, means actuated by the liquid flow through the by-pass for introducing a gas into the tank, an adjustable stop member controlling the open position oi the valve, and means actuated by the building up of excess pressure in the discharge oi' the. pump for moving the adjustable stop to cause further opening of the valve to relieve the excess pressure and to free foreign matter which may have obstructed the flow of liquid past the valve.

5. In a iluid pressure system embodying a fluid storagetank and a discharge line, a pump for supplying a liquid under pressure to the tank, said pump having an inlet and a discharge connection, a by-pass on the discharge lside of the said pump having an inlet and a discharge convalve normally closing the discharge outlet of pump and in communication with the tank, a valve normally closing the discharge outlet o the pump, delay action means actuated by liquid pressure produced'when the pump is started for opening the valve, said valve and delay action means causing temporary flow of liquid under eective pressure through the by-pass, means actuated by the liquid now through the by-pass for introducing a gas into the tank, an adjustable stop member controlling the open position of the valve, means actuated by thebuilding up of excess pressure in the discharge of the pump for moving the adjustable stop to cause further opening of the valve to relieve the excess pressure and to free foreign matter which-may have obstructed the now of liquid past the valve, and other means for returning the adjustable stop and the valve to a position controlled by the adjustable stop when excess pressure has been' relieved.

6. In a fluid pressure system embodying a fluid storage tank and a discharge line, a pump for supplying a liquid under pressure to the tank, said pump having an inlet and a discharge connection, a by-pass on the discharge side of the pump and in communication with the tank, a valve normally closing the discharge outlet of the pump, delay action means actuated by liquid pressure produced when the pump is started for opening the valve, said valve and delay action means causing temporary ilow of liquid under effective pressure through the by-pass, means actuated by the liquid flow through the by-pass for introducing a gas into the tank, and means actuated by the liquid level in the tank for varying the time of the delay action.

'1. In a fluid pressure system embodying a nuid storage tank and a pump for supplying a liquid under pressure to the tank, a discharge connection leading from the pum-p to the tank, a by-pass in the discharge connection, a valve for directing the liquid from the pump through the by-pass under eiective pressure, means actuated by the liquid iiow through the by-pass for introducing a gas into the tank, said valve adapted to be opened by pressure exerted on it-by the liquid under pressure discharging from the pump, a housing adjacent to the valve, a diaphragm in said housing dividing the housing into two chambers, means connecting the valve to the diaphragm,` a connection for supplying uid under pressure to one chamber, and a restricted orifice member in said connection to retard opening of the valve when acted upon by liquidA under pres.- sure from the pump so that liquid under eil'cctive pressure from the pump will flow through the by-pass for a predetermined period oi' time before the valve is opened.

8. In a fluid pressure system embodying a fluid storage tank and a discharge line, a pump for supplying a liquid under pressure to the tank,

said pump having an `inlet and a discharge connection, a by-pass on the discharge side of the pump and in communication with the tank, a valve normally closing the discharge out- .let of the. pump, delay action means for operating the valve comprising a stem for the valve,

- means enclosing a iluid pressure chamber having a flexible diaphragm operated by the variations in pressure, said stem connected with the diaphragm an'd operated thereby to open and close the valve, connections between the tank and pressure chamber, whereby the variations in pressure in the tank are transmitted to the pressure chamber, and means actuated by the pressure in the pressure chamber for controlling the gas flow to the by-Pass.

9. In a fluid pressure system, the combination with a pressure tank of valve control mechanism for controlling the admission oi' liquid and air to the tank including a valve casing having an inlet and an outlet, the latter connected with the tank, a valve to control said outlet said valve having a valve stem, means enclosing a chamber into which said valve stem extends, a iiexible diaphragm connected to the valve stem and forming one wall of said chamber, and a fluid connection between said chamber and the tank, whereby variations of pressure in the tank act through the diaphragm to open or close said valve, said fluid connection with the tank having a restricted opening, whereby, when the opening of said iiuid connection into the tank is above the liquid level in the tank, the movement of the valve is relatively slow as compared with the movement of the valve when the said opening is below the level of the liquid in the tank.

JOHN G. DORWARD, J n. 

